FILE - In this April 19, 2010, file photo Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., left, and Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., attend a groundbreaking ceremony in St. Louis. As colleagues in Congress and heirs of prominent political families, Carnahan and Clay have cord
FILE - In this April 19, 2010, file photo Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., left, and Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., attend a groundbreaking ceremony in St. Louis. As colleagues in Congress and heirs of prominent political families, Carnahan and Clay have cordially represented St. Louis for several years. Now the two Democrats are accusing one another of lying. That's what can happen when two congressmen are matched up in a single district because of once-every-decade redrawing of political boundaries. Jeff Roberson, File, Associated Press

By Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Russ Carnahan and William Lacy Clay Jr. are colleagues in Congress and members of prominent political families.

They've cordially represented St. Louis for several years.

But now the Democratic congressmen are accusing one another of lying as they get ready to face one another in a primary Tuesday.

That's what can happen when two incumbents are thrown together in the same district because of redistricting.

In St. Louis and Detroit, a decades-long exodus of residents has forced the combination of districts, resulting in Tuesday's primaries.

Later this month, Republican incumbents will face off in Florida and Arizona. Those states gained seats after the 2010 census, but congressmen are competing in the most politically advantageous areas.

Nationwide, House incumbents are matched up in 11 elections this year.

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